You may have heard the terms “cybersecurity” and “information security” before, but what do they actually mean? And more importantly, what type of security does your business need? Though these terms are sometimes used interchangeably, we’ll break down what makes them unique and where they overlap. We’ll also go over the benefits of each one so that you can make an informed decision about which type of security your business really needs.
Cybersecurity
Cybersecurity refers to securing computer systems, networks, devices, and applications from cyber attacks of any kind. This can be done through a variety of methods, such as installing security software, using firewalls, and encrypting data. Cybersecurity can even extend to employee training that helps guard your organization from human error. The main goal of this is to prevent unauthorized access to data and keep it safe from cyber criminals and breaches.
Cybersecurity is usually considered a protection against threats such as:
- Ransomware Attacks
- Social Engineering
- Distributed Denial of Service (DDoS)
With increasing cyber threats, cybersecurity has become more important than ever for businesses of all sizes.
Benefits:
Here are some of the benefits of investing in cybersecurity:
- Prevent data breaches: Cybersecurity can help you prevent data breaches, which can be costly and damaging to your business’s reputation.
- Comply with regulations: Depending on your industry, there may be regulations that require you to maintain certain cybersecurity measures.
- Prevent downtime: Downtime can be expensive for businesses, both in terms of lost productivity and revenue. Cybersecurity can help you prevent it.
Information Security
Information security (also known as InfoSec) is the practice of protecting all information from unauthorized access. This can be done through a variety of methods, such as physical security, data encryption, and access control. Information security ensures that both physical and digital data are protected from unauthorized access.
Information security is put in place to keep data of all forms secure, while cybersecurity focuses on protecting only digital data—so while there is overlap between the two, information security is the more all-encompassing term. The main goal of information security is to keep data safe and secure.
Benefits:
The benefits of information security include the advantages of cybersecurity listed above, since information security will include cybersecurity for businesses with digital assets. These are some of the ways that information security protects businesses, both physically and digitally:
- Physical security: Information security can help you protect your physical data, such as files and paperwork.
- Data encryption: Data encryption is a form of information security that can help you keep your digital data safe from cybercriminals.
- Access control: Access control can help you limit who has access to your data and what they can do with it.
- Compliance: Depending on your industry, there may be regulations in place that require you to have certain information security measures in place.
Do You Need Both Cybersecurity and Information Security?
The short answer is: it depends. It really depends on your business and what type of data you use and store. If you have sensitive digital data that needs to be protected, then you will need to implement cybersecurity to protect it. If you don’t use physical methods of storing your data, the physical aspect of information security will be less important.
You may hear “cybersecurity” and “information security” used interchangeably when discussing your business’s needs and security packages that are available. When that’s the case, it’s important to clarify the security needs of your business, whether physical or digital or both, and what the offering provides in terms of digital vs. physical security for your information.
Work with Simple Systems for Your Cybersecurity
Now that you know the difference between cybersecurity and information security, you can make a more informed decision about which type of security is right for your business. If you have any questions, reach out to our professionals at Simple Systems and we’ll be happy to help you understand your business’s security needs!
